Want to learn about the bible, but just don't have the time?

Post by **Phantasm** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 7:58 pm

Then just read the abridged version.

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/4266564.stm

Post by **Fist and Faith** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 3:46 am

I assumed the link would lead to a joke of some sort. But it looks like they're serious. Yes?

Post by **The Laughing Man** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 3:53 am

Looks very intelligently designed, and cleverly packaged!

Post by **Dromond** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 6:20 am

Why not save yet more time, and consider those tracts with choice biblical quotes stuffed in your mailbox all you need to read!?

Post by **Avatar** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 9:28 am

Oh, totally serious, Fist.

I'm torn...on one hand, more books and more readers are good. But without seeing it for myself, I can't know what the message they're focusing on putting across is.

And I think that the details are important. If we're not careful, we're gonna have a generation who have a "sanitised" version of the bible, and don't know all the contentious stuff, or the stuff that makes people question. And that, I think, is a bad thing.

(For the record, I also worry that Disney's rewrites of mythology and history are gonna become what people who were children then (now) think of..."Hercules? Oh yeah, the guy who rode Pegasus, right?")

--Avatar

Post by **Fist and Faith** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 11:00 am

Am I the only one who thinks a Reader's Digest Condensed Bible is sorta hilarious?

Post by **Dromond** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 12:48 pm

Avatar wrote:

And I think that the details are important. If we're not careful, we're gonna have a generation who have a "sanitised" version of the bible, and don't know all the contentious stuff, or the stuff that makes people question. And that, I think, is a bad thing.

--Avatar

My point exactly, Avatar. Though you managed to say it without the sarcasm.

Post by **Prebe** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 1:55 pm

I hope they have taken the most juicy parts of Leviticus, and The Revelation of Saint "Having a bad paranoid acid trip" John.

Fist wrote:Am I the only one who thinks a Reader's Digest Condensed Bible is sorta hilarious?

No.

Post by **Alynna Lis Eachann** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 2:40 pm

Fist and Faith wrote:Am I the only one who thinks a Reader's Digest Condensed Bible is sorta hilarious?

Not at all. You gotta wonder what they're gonna take out - the murder of witches can go, but the good Samaritan stays. Leave one instance of homophobia for the sake of symbolisim, and take out all that Old Testament Law stuff, because Jesus said it wasn't important anymore. Don't forget the "water into wine" thing...

So what's next, the Koran? I don't see how this is an effective method of teaching religion, unless you've got an agenda.

Post by **[Syl]** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 10:09 pm

Book of Revelations, Chapter 22

18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Post by **Kinslaughterer** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 11:24 pm

I wonder who added that part? And who heeded it?

If too many things are omitted then you are dealing with a new religion.

Post by **Dromond** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 4:05 am

Syl wrote:Book of Revelations, Chapter 22
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Thanks, Syl. I'd totally forgotten about those verses.

Anyone?

Oh, Gee, this is simply another part where everyone else doesn't understand.

Stupid world. Stupid People.

Post by **The Laughing Man** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 4:13 am

* ahem *
That's talking about just Revelations, and not the whole Bible in particular? Has Revelations been altered or "condensed"? Might explain alot goin on lately if so.....

Post by **Dromond** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 4:50 am

I would guess, then , that you have a lot of 'splainin' to do...

Esmer... you have some 'spainin to do....

Post by **Prebe** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 5:15 am

What WAS John smoking??

Revelation 1
14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword

Revelation 4
6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. 7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. 8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, LORD God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. 9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever

Revelation 5
6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth

Revelation 8
7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. 8 And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; 9 And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed. 10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; 11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

Post by **The Laughing Man** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 5:27 am

Luuuuucy! Hime Hooo-oome!!!!!

Syl wrote:Book of Revelations, Chapter 22
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Book of Revelations, not Book of Bible?

Post by **ur-bane** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 12:25 pm

I am not that familiar with the bible, so I have a question.
Esmer's interpretation is that the passage refers only to the book of Revelations. I can also see where "this book" could mean the entire bible, although it seems more likely Esmer's interpretation may be correct.

The question, however, which will lead to a conclusion IMO, is this:

Are the "plagues" mentioned in the passage specifically mentioned in the book of Revelations?

If yes, I think that we can associate the passage solely with Revelations.
If no, then clearly that passage refers to the Bible in general, and not just Revelations.

Post by **Prebe** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 12:29 pm

If the translation is correct it can ONLY be the revelation, for the simple reason that The Bible did not exist when St. John smoked his weed.

Post by **ur-bane** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 12:31 pm

Well, in the words of Homer Simpson:
"Doh!"
That makes perfect sense, Prebe. Unlike me just then (although it seemed legit when I was typing it).

Maybe I need to lay off John's weed.

Actually though, I really am not as familiar with the bible as others here, so my limited knowledge comes through at times.

Post by **Prebe** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 12:33 pm

*LOL* ur-bane. It's getting late over there isn't it?

This is an excellent site. Complete with all versions and search function:

bible.com/bible_read.html

It's like "bluffers guide to the bible"

Kevin's Watch

Kevin's Watch

Want to learn about the bible, but just don't have the time?

Want to learn about the bible, but just don't have the time?